Your Questions About Natural Thyroid Remedies

admin answers:

The thing about the standard thyroid test is it stinks. They use a test called TSH. TSH isn't even a thyroid hormone and it changes throughout the day. It's it at highest point while we sleep, so if we suspect hypothyrodism (underactive thyroid) then we need to test first thing in the morning. Another problem with this test is that the guidelines changed in 2003, but most labs still have the lab ranges at the old numbers. What this means is if yur doctor is unaware of the change he/she may say your TSH is normal when it isn't. Ask what your TSH was. If its over a 2.0, your thyroid is slowing down. If its over a 3.0 you need treatment. I know thus stuff because I had believed for years I was hypothyroid. The first test was taken in the afternoon and I did not get diagnosed. Within a year my symptoms got worse and the test finally showed I was hypothyroid by the old standards. New range is 0.3 to 3.0.

Supplements you can take for the thyroid are Lytrosine, zinc, and selenium. Stay away from soy, peanuts, brocolii and fluoride.

Website below about thyroid conditions. Read up on it before you see the doctor again.

If you test again, make sure its first thing in the morning. Ask for more than a TSH. Have a free t4, free t3, and a thyroid antibody test

admin answers:

Everyone has given great advice, and the bladderwrack really is the best. I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis, and according to my blood tests, my thyroid level is fine but is on the low end and i have been having hypo symptoms as well. I am genetically wired to have hypothyroid–my mom, grandma and great grandma all have/had it (my ggma died of goiter!), so unless i take some action it will only get worse. Yesterday i went to see a naturopath, and she immediately knew i had low thyroid and put me on a bladderwrack/wild lettuce/irish moss tincture, along with some other supplements since the thyroid is involved in hormone production which has been part of my endometriosis problem. They're all connected.

I would suggest, if you can afford it, to get your thyroid checked with your regular doctor, and then take those results to a naturopath. Most insurance does not cover the naturopath, but it cost me less than $100 to see one (not including the supplements). Most are willing to work with you, because they are genuinely concerned about your health. By seeing the naturopath you can make sure you're getting exactly the amounts you need so you dont cause other problems! I definitely think it is worth it to have the advice and guidance of someone who understands how our bodies work a little better than we do.

Good luck and best of health to you!

admin answers:

Yes definately.
Iodine and tyrosine are essential # nutrients required for the production of thyroid hormones.
Selenium is required for the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3)
Zinc is involved in the transcription of thyroid hormone and as an enzyme co-factor in T4 to T3 conversion.
Vitamin A is involved in the formation of thyroid hormone receptors, and in the binding of thyroid hormones to cellular receptors.
As an electron donor, vitamin C is involved in tyrosine metabolism and thyroid hormone synthesis.
Vitamin D is required for the maintenance of a normal healthy immune system and healthy cell development.
Cysteine, methionine and taurine which help support Phase II liver detoxification pathways.
Bupleurum falcatum has been traditionally used to aid in the maintenance of healthy liver metabolism and provide support for healthy liver function.
Antioxidants zinc, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E that help reduce the harmful effects of free radicals.

Also, there are certain foods that actually suppress thyroid function.
Goitrogens can induce hypothyroidism and goiter. In sufferers of hypothyroidism, goitrogens can further depress thyroidal function and stimulate the growth of the thyroid (goiter).
Many goitrogens are generally members of the brassica family. These include:
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Mustard
Kale
Turnips
Rape seed (Canola Oil)
Other goitrogens include:
Soy
Pine nuts
Millet
Peanuts
Corn

Also, avoiding dairy and gluten products is ideal as there is a high connection to autoimmune disorders and gluten intolerance, same with dairy, and also flouride.
Flouride suppresses the thyroid hormone. Infact it was used by doctors till the 70s for overactive thyroids!
But before you jump to conclusions that its your thyroid, go get your TSH levels checked by your doctor. Its a simple blood test, and for peace of mind, its always good to have a definate diagnosis.

admin answers:

You need to understand that just taking thyroid medication or iodine without understanding what is causing the problem is typical of medical solutions used. That is called "Relieving a symptom." That gives you "MAKE BELIEVE HEALTH."

You can do a simple test to determine how much iodine your body needs. Take some "Tincture of iodine" you get from the drug store and paint a patch on your forearm about 2" x 3" and then watch it to see when it disappears. You should be able to see it 24 hours later, but if it disappears in a few hours, you are very deficient. The longer it is visible, the less deficiency you have.

Taking a supplement, eating lots of foods that contain iodine, like fish, etc. And periodically testing as described above will get you in a situation where your thyroid can make good hormones. There are other things that create the problem for the thyroid because it is part of the "Pituitary axis." This consists of 4 glands that all get sick together. The adrenals, thyroid, pituitary, and ovaries (if a woman) and testes (if a man) are all part of this axis. If one of the other glands becomes insufficient it affects them all, including the thyroid.

If you take birth control pills, you need to get off that trash because it is causing many problems with your body and that includes all the glands in the pituitary axis. There are a few good supplements that will help you greatly if you find you are deficient in iodine.

The T3 and T4 hormones consist of iodine and tyrosine amino acid. There are some nutritional deficiencies that can also play into the lack of ability to convert T4 hormones (inactive form) to the T3 hormone (active form). Rubidium is a trace element found in some foods that promote the ability of the body to make the conversions.

DON'T take those very stupid thyroid medications that damage the body, make the thyroid deteriorate, etc. Take care of this problem naturally, not with drugs.

Also, avoid ALL SOY foods and anything that has fluoride in it, even toothpastes. Fluoride depletes the body of iodine. SOY depletes the body of it's minerals, contains goitrogens that slow the thyroid down. Drug companies tell you not to eat SOY because it destroys the ability of the medications to work; it's that bad.

Good luck to you